Imogene + Willie Galway Wool Sweater: A Masterclass in Irish Soul and American Grit

There is a distinct moment every winter when the novelty of “sweater weather” wears off, and the reality of the cold sets in. It is in that moment that you realize the difference between a sweater that merely looks good and one that is actually built to perform. For the latter, you generally have to look towards brands that don’t just churn out knitwear, but rather obsess over it.

Enter Imogene + Willie, a Nashville-based outfit that has spent the last decade earning a cult following for their denim, and who have now quietly perfected the art of the winter layer with the Galway Wool Sweater in Black Nep.

If you know Imogene + Willie, you know their story: founded in 2009 by Matt and Carrie Eddmenson in a repurposed service station in Nashville, they started with a simple, almost stubborn goal—to make everything in the USA. While they are best known for their rigid selvedge denim, their foray into knitting has been a journey of trial, error, and relentless refinement.

They will be the first to admit they are still learning, but if the Galway is any indication, they have graduated at the top of their class. They humbly call it the “best sweater we’ve made yet,” and frankly, we are inclined to agree.

The star of the show here is the yarn itself. While the sweater is patterned, cut, and sewn in the USA, the raw material hails from the ancestral home of rugged knitwear: Ireland. It is crafted from 100% merino wool that is spun in the Emerald Isle, ensuring a level of authenticity and texture that synthetic blends simply cannot replicate.

The “Black Nep” colorway is a nod to traditional Donegal tweed, where “neps”—small, dense clumps of tangled fibers—are spun into the yarn to create distinctive flecks of contrasting color.

This gives the sweater a depth and character that feels lived-in from the moment you pull it on, reminiscent of the kind of garment your grandfather might have worn while tending to a peat fire.

Priced at $350, the Galway is an investment in longevity. It features a raglan sleeve design, which eliminates the shoulder seam to allow for greater range of motion—crucial whether you are chopping wood or just hailing a cab.

The fit is described as “intentionally accommodating,” meaning it strikes that perfect balance between a relaxed drape and a structured silhouette. It’s not a slim-fit fashion piece that restricts your movement, nor is it a shapeless sack; it’s a sweater designed for living.

In a world of fast fashion and disposable trends, Imogene + Willie’s commitment to small-batch production is a breath of fresh air. By keeping their manufacturing local and their runs limited, they ensure that every garment is made with intention.

The Galway isn’t just a piece of clothing; it’s a testament to the idea that if you put love into every step of the process—from sourcing the Irish wool to sewing the final seam in the States—you end up with something truly great. It’s warm, it’s rugged, and it’s likely the only black sweater you’ll need for the next decade.

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